To Win or Not to Lose?

[marvin8]

Unlimited technique is too much technique. English has only 26 letters, and even that's more than we need to spell any word or communicate most any thought. It's how those letters are combined that counts. Most styles have enough moves to handle most any situation - if they are well executed and put together well with good timing.

English has at least 150K words using those 26 letters, but even educated speakers use only 1/4 of them. How many profound books have been written using just those? Quality over quantity.

However, unlimited includes “not too much.” Therefore, unlimited technique is not “too much.”

A dozen strikes, a score of kicks, another score of blocks/parries, and another score grabbing/immobilization moves yields thousands of two move combinations, and even more three move combos (someone out there can do the math). Then factor in a few takedowns and various tactics and footwork, and one has the tools to respond to most any attack. A good karate-ka has an enormous number of potential "words" to draw upon. No need to go outside the system for even more moves.

The Machidas, TMAists, found a need to change some things in karate for fighting.

What's "unlimited" is the exact way the techniques are applied and this to a large degree is a function of the individual, not the style. But even kata provides a "liberating perspective" as shown in this quote from my earlier post:

isshinryuronin said:
"If one practices kata correctly, it will serve as a foundation for performing any of the infinite number of variations."

Maybe traditional karate is the original "formless form" and "unlimited technique" MA.

"Unlimited" can be applied to practical limitations or boundaries, while "infinite" describes something that extends endlessly in a conceptual or mathematical sense. So, infinite can be too much and your statements may be contradictory.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

JKD and MMA do not limit their techniques to any style(s). They absorb any technique that is useful.

But the JKD guy and MMA guy has to train technique first.

Here is my simple question. If you have never trained

- left arm head lock, when a left arm head lock opportunity appears, will you take it?
- flying side kick, will you suddenly deliver a flying side kick just because the opportunity is there?

 

[isshinryuronin]

The Machidas, TMAists, found a need to change some things in karate for [fighting]

...winning within the rule set of sport MMA against other similarly trained elite professionals. When something is re-purposed, modifications are often needed.